Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

Chapter 83: Western Region Strategy (Part )

Huo Xian had a lot of bad habits, but to Liu Che, that was nothing.

For Wei Zifu and Liu Ju, Huo Shan, who had bad habits, was also trustworthy.

This is the reality. If Huo Xian had a cautious and modest character like General Wei Qing, perhaps it would be worth worrying about.

Let’s not talk about Huo Xian’s character issues for now, and continue to focus on the war against Dayuan, which is extremely important.

"I think we should start the reinforcement now." Liu Che looked at Wei Qing and said, "Mobilize the troops to Dunhuang. They should be assembled before summer."

Wei Qing said cautiously, "Your Majesty, we are still building border barriers in the south of the desert, so it is difficult to mobilize too many troops at once."

Liu Che is now a little depressed. The Han Dynasty is now fighting on two fronts. The reason why it is urgent to resolve the issue of the Western Regions is to concentrate forces to deal with the Huns.

Don't think that the Western Regions have no ability to threaten the Han Dynasty. These small city-states may seem weak, but if they are coerced by the Xiongnu, they can still threaten some areas in the northwest.

If the Hexi Corridor had not been taken before and they could start to slowly control the Western Regions, the Huns could have sent troops from the Western Regions and other places at any time.

This is a very realistic thing. Liu Che cares very much about the Western Regions, and there is a reason for that.

Huo Xian then said, "Your Majesty, just give me 30,000 troops. 10,000 cavalry, 20,000 infantry, 20,000 horses. 10,000 sheep and camels, plus enough arrows and supplies, and make up for the baggage."

Huo Xian’s requirement was definitely not low, but it was half the number of people needed before.

Seeing that Liu Che was silent, Huo Xian continued, "Your Majesty, bring some craftsmen and people who are good at selecting horses. I will definitely bring back good horses from Dayuan!"

"What should we do with General Ershi?" Liu Che asked, "Why did I let General Ershi go to attack Dayuan? Don't you know the reason?"

Huo Xian said, "I told you that I will definitely divide the troops when the time comes, otherwise some small countries in the Western Regions along the way will not be able to support them. By then, General Ershi will be rewarded with a title of nobility for his contribution in destroying the country!"

Liu Che felt a pain in his chest. This little disciple was too smart. Sometimes he didn't know what to say.

"My main purpose this time is to show my power in the Western Regions. Dayuan must be destroyed." Huo Xian said, "Your Majesty, the Xiongnu has not been destroyed yet. General Ershi will follow me to fight the Xiongnu in the future. Who will be the general, him or me?"

This time Liu Che didn't know how to answer, and everyone present fell silent.

The support for Li Guangli was indeed due to the fact that Lady Li was favored nowadays.

But on the other hand, isn’t it because there is no general in the court now, and someone is needed to check and balance Wei Huo?

"I will definitely give General Ershi a chance to make meritorious service. I don't care about the personnel assigned to him by Your Majesty." Huo Xian continued, "Your Majesty, the Xiongnu was defeated this year, but they may come back next year or the year after. By then, I will lead the troops as a general of cavalry. I have never led a large army!"

Liu Che was silent for a while before he said, "When you rescued the Marquis of Xuye, didn't you lead 10,000 cavalrymen?"

Huo Xian said awkwardly, "Marquis Xuye is the one leading the troops. I am just making up the numbers. How can I mobilize a general appointed by His Majesty himself?"

This is not flattery, this is the truth. Although Zhao Po Nu took good care of Huo Shan, the military orders were still there. He would discuss military affairs with Huo Shan, but he would not obey Huo Shan's orders.

Unless Huo Xian was a general of cavalry and had the emperor's order. This was also one of the reasons why Huo Xian and Zhao Po Nu split their forces when fighting the Xiongnu last time.

This is also why Liu Che did not care, otherwise Huo Shan and Zhao Po Nu might have been impeached and convicted.

Liu Ju and Wei Qing remained silent at this time. These were sensitive topics, so they naturally did not want to respond easily.

Even though they definitely supported Huo Shan leading his troops to attack Dayuan in their hearts, this matter could only be decided by the emperor, and no one else could say anything about it.

Liu Che was silent for a long time before he said, "What if we lose?"

"If I lose, I will come back and admit my guilt and accept the punishment." Huo Xian said, "But I don't think I will lose. I only want to win."

These are also true. Huo Xian must be thinking about winning instead of thinking too much about what would happen if he lost.

Liu Che was in a dilemma and didn't know how to make a decision. On the one hand, he had to train Huo Shan, and on the other hand, he needed to support a new noble relative.

If he had enough time, he would naturally be able to be more relaxed about these matters, and then he could do both things well.

But the problem now is that time is running out. He doesn't necessarily think that Huo Xian's active request for battle is to suppress Li Guangli, but because Huo Xian really needs to lead the army alone.

We had to fight in the Western Regions and also guard against the Huns. When these two things happened at the same time, some things became tricky.

Liu Che was a little shaken and said, "I need to think about this matter again."

This is progress. Previously, they directly refused, but now they are finally a little more relaxed. This is huge progress.

"Your Majesty, remember to find me some horse experts as driving lieutenants, so that we can select good horses after we conquer Dayuan." Huo Xian continued, "Also, equip me with some craftsmen who are good at water conservancy. I will be of great use to them." Liu Che asked curiously, "What do you want the craftsmen to do?"

Huo Xian said, "I saw the military intelligence sent back by General Ershi earlier. There are no wells in Dayuan City. They rely entirely on the river outside the city. If they don't surrender, I will directly divert the river outside Dayuan City so that they have no water to use."

Liu Ju coughed and said, "Xian'er, you're going too far."

Huo Xian said nonchalantly, "Uncle, we are at war, how can we be merciful?"

Huo Xian then looked at Liu Che and continued, "I also heard that Dayuan is also a big country in the Western Regions, and its capital has inner and outer cities. I need craftsmen so that I can break through the pass and destroy the city."

The trebuchet first appeared in the Warring States Period and is one of the heaviest siege weapons today.

Of course, battering rams are a great weapon for breaking down city gates. In addition, there are ladders, towers, crossbows, etc. These siege weapons have long appeared.

They may not be used when fighting the Huns, but they will come in handy when fighting Dayuan.

Liu Che narrowed his eyes and asked, "Tell me, how do you plan to break into the city?"

Wei Qing also became serious and wanted to hear some of Huo Xian's combat ideas.

"Besiege the capital of Dayuan and cut off the water supply." Huo Xian said directly, "There is no water in the city. If the water is cut off, they will be in chaos. I will bring more arrows to prevent them from escaping and leaving the city."

Liu Che waved his hand and said, "This is not a big deal. Even if Dayuan is powerful, it cannot compare with our Han army. Let's attack the city. How do you attack the city?"

"I told you, we'll first besiege them and cut off their water supply," Huo Xian continued. "Then we'll order our soldiers and craftsmen to build siege equipment. Besiege them for half a month or a month, and the Dayuan people will be in chaos."

Liu Che thought about it carefully and asked again, "I just heard that there are Kangju and Wusun next to Dayuan. If they send troops to help, how will you respond?"

"Wusun probably doesn't dare to send troops. If Kangju does, I'll be happy." Huo Xian said with a smile, "This is also a big country in the Western Regions. The most important thing is that it borders the Xiongnu!"

Kangju and Dayuezhi belong to the same ethnic group. In the early years of the Han Dynasty, the country was quite powerful and was once subject to the Xiongnu and Dayuezhi.

"If they send out troops, we should attack together with Wusun directly." Huo Xian pointed at the sand table and said, "We will enter the Western Regions from the Hexi Corridor and reach Kangju after passing Wusun. Then we can send out troops from here and go directly behind the Xiongnu. I can fight from west to east, and the Xiongnu will have nowhere to escape!"

Liu Che looked at Huo Xian and asked worriedly, "You want to trap Dayuan and besiege it without attacking, just waiting for Kangju to come to your aid?"

"Who knows whether they will come to our aid?" Huo Xian said, "This time when I attack Dayuan, I will definitely not just win and take away the horses. I don't plan to destroy Dayuan, but from now on the ruler of Dayuan can only listen to the will of the Han Dynasty. Dayuan is not as good as Kangju, but it is still better than Loulan."

Wei Qing warned, "The Hu people are cunning. If the army returns, they may change."

"If they kill our Han envoys, they will have to hand over some people." Huo Xian said, "Now I must kill the ruler of Dayuan. After killing him, I will see who his relatives are."

Liu Ju coughed and said, "You, don't tell anyone about this!"

Liu Che looked at Liu Ju with satisfaction, thinking that his son still had some sense of propriety.

Huo Xian was really too bold. He obviously planned to conquer Dayuan and then directly establish a new ruler in Dayuan.

These things should not be done by the big guys. It would be taboo if they get out.

So Huo Xian had a lot of bad habits. There was no need to find reasons to deprive him of his fiefdom and military power, as there were simply a lot of them.

Liu Che looked at Wei Qing and asked, "General, do you think that if Shan'er does this, the army will suffer heavy losses?"

"If Shan'er really fights like this, it's stable." Wei Qing said truthfully, "But Shan'er has always been bold. I'm not sure if he said this to my face, but he will fight in a different way when he arrives in the Western Regions."

Huo Xian was anxious and said quickly, "Uncle, you have to speak for me!"

"Huo Xian!" Wei Qing said sternly, "You are the Marquis of Guanjun and the General of the Cavalry of the Han Dynasty. How can you joke about such a big battle? You, you must remember your identity!"

Liu Che immediately said, "General, don't think too much. Shan'er has no other thoughts. He is just eager to fight. There is no need to say that to him."

Wei Qing said worriedly, "Your Majesty, the Champion Marquis is really too aggressive, I am afraid he will not know how to restrain himself."

Liu Che didn't care. He hoped Huo Shan would be more aggressive. If Huo Shan had the same personality as Wei Qing, it would be a real headache.

Liu Ju also said at this time, "Father, I think it is better to be cautious when attacking Dayuan this time. The Xiongnu will definitely send troops in the next few years, so we have to be on guard."

Liu Che glanced at his son. It was rare for the crown prince to take the initiative to mention the intention to conquer the Huns.

"Think about this matter again." Liu Che said, "Xian'er, think carefully about how to attack Dayuan. What I said today was not detailed enough."

(End of this chapter)